Clamp for trolley-wires.



No. 673,|76. Patented Apr. 30, |901. J. W. PERRY.

CLAMP FUR TROLLEY WIRES.

(Application led Mar. 28, 1901.)

(No Model.)

me npnms mns co. vrgoraurnu, WASHINGTON. D. c.

JAMES W. PERRY, OF PHILADELPHIA,

PATENT OFFICE.

PENNSYLVANIA, AssIeNoR To H. W.

JOHNS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEW JERSEY.

CLANI P FOR TROLLEY-WIRES.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent N o. 673,176,` dated'April 30, 1901.

Application led March 28, 1901. Serial No. 53,323 (No model.)

To a/Zl whom, 7,25 may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES W. PERRY, of the city and countyof Philadelphia, State of Penn- Sylvania, have invented an Improvement in Clamps for Trolley-Wires,of` which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to clamps for -trolley-wires adapted' to crossings, switches,

&c.; and it consists of certain improvements, all of which are fully set forth in the following speciication and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form` a part thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheapyand durable construction of clamp for use `in connection with the crossings, switches, circuit-breaking or section switches, &c.

In carrying out my invention I provide the arm of the switch, dac., with'a grooved wall adapted to receive the trolley-Wire and into which groove it is clamped by a laterallyswinging clamping-jaw hinged to the arm on a vertical axis or joint and forced into position against the trolley-Wire by a screw or equivalent means. The clamping-jawis also preferably groovcd 011 its side, so as to also fit upon the trolley-Wire and aid the arm in sustaining it in position. 4 My invention also comprehends various details of construction, which will be better unfderstood by reference to the drawings, in

which- Figure l is a plan view of a trolley-crossing embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one portion of the crossing, showing my invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of same, and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of my in-` vention adapted to a circuit-breaking or section switch.

The general construction of crossing or switch shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3 is similar to Y vertical plane through the trolley-wire H. Combined with these arms E are pivoted clamping-jaws F, which, with the arms, constitute a series of end clamps C for properly holding the trolley-wire where it enters or leaves the switch, dac. The clamping-jaw F is made in general construction very similar to the arm E and is pivoted to the arm on a 'vertical hinge f, so as to be adapted to swing outward or away from the arm E. This jaw is drawn toward the arm E by a clampingscrew G, passing loosely through one member and screwed into the other. As shown, the upper portions of thecrossing-rails A B are grooved to receive the trolley-wire H and constitute guide-rails R for the 4trolley-wheel on the bottom. `The trolley-wire at the end of the arm is depressed, so as to come practically on a level with the bottom of the guiderails, but are positively clamped between the fixed arm E and the pivoted jaw F and held in the lateral grooves K I therein, respectively.V (More clearly shown in Fig. 3.) The sides of the Vjaw F and the arm E may be provided with laterally-extendingguide-flanges J for receiving the trolley wheel iianges, and the ends of said guide-flanges J may be curved upward to form an inclined guideway t0 depress the trolley, so as not to allow the wheel to strike the ends of the arm E and jaw F Where the trolley-wire H leaves them. All of the ends of the crossing-rails are made alike,

so that the above description suffices for all four ends.

.This clamp both grips the wire to hold it against longitudinal movement within the switch and also to hold the Wire in proper position close to the bottom of the switch, so as to be in practical alinement with the guiderail R. l

While the crossing shown is an adjustable crossing, my invention is not confined to any special structure, but is equally adapted to all types of crossings, switches, &c. For eX- ample, in Fig. 4 I have shown my invention applied to a circuit-breaking or section switch comprising an-insulatin g body portion N, having metallic ends C of the construction above described and in which the arms E' thereof are riveted or otherwise secured to the body portion at L M. In this case the trolley-wires IOO the friction of the clamps being amply suffi# cient for holding the wire ends.- j

By my improved construction it is evident that the crossings, switches, &c., -may be quickly applied, removed, or readily adjusted in position with the least amount of labor. The hinge f may be made in any suitable manner so long as the jaw may be moved away from the arm E to permit the insertion and removal of the trolley-wire, and the jaw may bevmoved to clamp the wire in any other convenient manner than bythe screw shown. Hence while I prefer the construction shown as being excellently adapted to the purpose the details may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byrLetters Patent, isl. In a trolley crossing or switch struc-ture, the free end of the arm, combined with alaterally-movable clamping-jaw jointed to the` arm adapted to grasp the trolley-wire, and means for clamping the jaw upon the Wire and moving it toward the arm.

2. In a trolley crossing or switch structure, the free end -of the arm havingalateral groove in its side face, combined with a laterallymovable clamping-j aw jointed to the arm also y having a lateral groove coinciding with that in the arm and adapted to grasp the trolleyl wire, and means for clamping the jaw upon the wire and moving it toward the arm.

3. In a trolley crossing or switch structure, the free end of the arm having a lateral guidelange, combined with a laterallymovable clamping-jaw jointed to the arm adapted to grasp the trolley-wire also having a lateralk guide-flange, and means for clamping the jaw upon the wire and moving it toward the arm.

4. A crossing or switch having a clampingarm foithe trolley-Wire 'consisting of a rigid arm, combined with a movable jaw grooved on its lateral face to receive the trolley-wire and pivoted to the arm on a Vertical axis so as to move laterally, and connecting means between the arm and pivoted jaw for moving the latter toward the former to clamp the wire. Y

5. A crossing or switch havinga clampingarm for the trolley-wire consisting of a rigid arm having a groove into its lateral face, combined with a movable jaw grooved on its lateral face to receive the trolley-wire and pivoted to the arm on a vertical' axis so as to move laterally, and connecting means between the arm and pivoted jaw consisting of a screw between the pivot of the jaw and its free end for moving the jaw toward the arm to clamp the wire.

6. The arm E having va suitable guidegroove for the trolley-wire, a jaw F pivotedto the arm on a vertical hingefand having a groove inits'lateral vface, vand a clampingscrew G for drawing the jaw toward the arm.

7. The arm E having a suitable guidegroove for the trolley- Wire and a lateral flange v.Lajaw F pivoted to the arm on a vertical hingefand having a groovein its lateral face and a lateral iiangeJ directed away from its groove, and a clamping-'screw Gfor drawing the jaw toward the arm.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES w. PERRY.

Witnesses: J. W. KENWORTHY, R. M. KELLY. 

